Xiang Lan was startled and unconsciously stepped back half a step. Lin Jin Lou’s face darkened as he first looked at Xiang Lan, then turned around with a faint smile, though his eyes remained displeased, and asked Yuan Shao Ren, “What were you talking about just now?”
Yuan Shao Ren replied calmly, “I was just thanking her for taking care of Young Master De these days. When Madam heard that I was taking Young Master De away, she felt reluctant to part with him.”
Just then, Chu Da Peng approached, grinning, “Hey, hey, why are both of you standing here, brothers? Everyone’s waiting inside…” Then noticing Xiang Lan, he said, “Oh, it’s Sister-in-law, my respects, my respects.” His expression changed to one of deep respect as he bowed, “I just had the pleasure of admiring your calligraphy and felt great admiration. If not for various obligations, I would have certainly sought your guidance.”
Xiang Lan curtseyed and replied, “Master Chu is too kind. I am overwhelmed with embarrassment.”
Chu Da Peng then pulled Yuan Shao Ren, saying, “Brother Yuan, quickly return to your seat. Several people were asking about you just now.” He lifted Young Master De, laughing, “You little fellow, you’ve gotten heavier again. Let’s go!”
Young Master De giggled continuously. Chu Da Peng, with his other hand holding Yuan Shao Ren’s arm, turned to Xiang Lan and said, “Sister-in-law, I take my leave.” With that, he pulled Yuan Shao Ren away.
When the three reached the corridor, Chu Da Peng called over his servant and instructed him to take Young Master De to play. Frowning, he said, “Old Yuan, you’ve always been prudent in your actions. What’s gotten into you today? Going to see Lin Jin Lou’s woman? Even with Young Master De and the maid present, it’s still not appropriate. Lin the Tyrant and I happened to pass by and saw you. Didn’t you see his face? Black as thunder. The moment he saw you two standing there, he rushed over. I was worried he’d lose his temper, disregarding years of brotherhood.”
Yuan Shao Ren heaved a long sigh but remained silent.
Chu Da Peng patted Yuan Shao Ren’s arm, “Come on, don’t wrinkle your face like a dried sour plum. She’s just a woman. Sure, Chen Xiang Lan is talented in both arts and skills, but if you look carefully, you can find several such women under heaven. Don’t let your eyes light up just because you saw her.”
Yuan Shao Ren glared, “What nonsense are you talking about? What eyes lighting up? I’ve always respected her properly. Don’t judge a gentleman’s heart with your measure!”
Chu Da Peng wrapped his arm around Yuan Shao Ren’s shoulders, laughing, “Look at you, getting angry! Brother trusts your character, we’ve known each other since we were bare-bottomed.”
This made Yuan Shao Ren laugh, sweeping away half his worries. He removed Chu Da Peng’s arm, saying, “Who has a bare-bottomed friendship with you? When you were still bare-bottomed, I was already in school.”
Chu Da Peng laughed, “Yes, yes, yes, anyway it’s been over twenty years of friendship…” as he pulled Yuan Shao Ren away.
After they left, Lin Jin Lou asked Xiang Lan with a dark face, “What were you talking about earlier?”
Xiang Lan, her heart crushed, had no strength left to deal with Lin Jin Lou. She hung her head listlessly and said, “Nothing.” She turned to leave.
Lin Jin Lou blocked her way, frowning, “Who are you giving attitude to?”
Xiang Lan lowered her head and broke free, walking forward again.
Lin Jin Lou grew angry: “I haven’t even addressed you meeting men in private, and here you are being difficult, you…” But then he saw Xiang Lan’s eyes were red, tears rolling down her cheeks, her face full of heartbreak, though she was holding back her sobs. Lin Jin Lou froze, the latter half of his words caught in his throat. His voice dropped two levels as he asked softly, “What’s… wrong?” He reached out to wipe her tears, but Xiang Lan turned her head away, using her sleeve to wipe her tears while breaking free from Lin Jin Lou’s hand, covering her face as she hurried away.
Lin Jin Lou stood frozen in place.
Seeing Xiang Lan leave, Little Juan quietly slipped to the wall’s edge, tiptoeing silently toward the arched doorway. Just as she was about to reach the door, Lin Jin Lou called from behind, “You, come here!”
Little Juan’s body stiffened, her shoulders drooping as she silently cursed her bad luck. She approached with lowered eyes and said, “What does Master wish to ask?”
Lin Jin Lou asked, “What was your mistress talking about with that person just now?”
Little Juan thought to herself, “They were speaking softly earlier, and I was far away catching butterflies with Young Master De. Just watching that little ancestor was enough to occupy all my attention, afraid he might bump or fall. How could I have paid attention to what they were saying?” But she dared not say this aloud, instead carefully replying, “Nothing special was said, just exchanging greetings. Master Yuan praised Madam’s painting and thanked her for looking after Young Master De.”
Lin Jin Lou snorted, “Just that? Who are you trying to fool? Would she cry like this? If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll have you sold off right now.”
Little Juan, terrified, quickly knelt and kowtowed, “I dare not, dare not deceive Master. Every word I spoke was true. I vaguely heard Master Yuan mention something about ‘Lady Lian,’ probably Young Master De’s birth mother. Perhaps Madam felt sorry for Young Master De losing his mother at such a young age, that’s why she cried. Madam has always been soft-hearted, as Master knows…” While speaking, she secretly glanced up, though not daring to look too carefully.
After a long while, there was a “hmm” from above, and she saw the blue satin boots standing before her walk away. Only after Lin Jin Lou disappeared did Little Juan finally let out a long breath, feeling her back soaked with sweat as she collapsed on the ground. Gui Yuan peeked from the doorway, and seeing no one around, ran over quickly, saying, “Sister Juan, in this hot weather, are you playing at kneeling for no reason?”
Little Juan glared at him, saying, “Nonsense! Quickly help your sister up!”
Little Gui Yuan hurriedly helped Little Juan up, then asked, “Are you thirsty? Shall I bring Sister a cup of tea to calm your nerves?”
Little Juan was fixing her clothes and hair, and hearing this said, “Now that’s something sensible you’ve said.” She followed Gui Yuan to sit in the back corridor, and soon after, Gui Yuan brought a cup of tea.
After taking a few sips, Little Juan heard Gui Yuan say, “Today Master took Madam’s painting to the front to show her off. Who knows how the Jiang family will react? These past few days, the servants and workers often gather and whisper among themselves, but scatter when they see me.”
Little Juan sneered, “You can imagine what that group of people is gossiping about. They’re all weathervanes, may their tongues rot.” She then said to Gui Yuan, “Now that the Jiang family has arrived, everyone in the mansion, high and low, is on edge and watching us. We must not make any mistakes that would cause trouble for Madam.”
Gui Yuan said, “Of course.” He continued, “I saw earlier that Master Lu sent his servant to deliver a message to Meng Fang Court, probably about Master showing off Madam’s painting.”
Little Juan froze, then shook her head with a bitter smile, saying, “Sometimes I look at Madam’s situation and feel heartbroken for her, but there’s nothing we can do. Madam says the Jiang family may seem gentle but isn’t easy to deal with. I suspect something’s about to happen.” As she spoke, she turned her head to look toward Meng Fang Court. Thunder rumbled in the sky, and heavy rain poured down.
In Meng Fang Court, Lu Chao Zong’s servant knelt outside the pearl curtain, saying, “…that’s the situation. Master says when the First Madam asked him to praise Fifth Miss here, they turned around and showed off their concubine instead. He feels too embarrassed to stay here any longer.” After speaking, he fell silent.
Everyone in the room was quiet. There was a crack of thunder, and Mother Jiang let out an “Oh!” of pain as she leaned against the bed’s headrest. Everyone panicked and quickly gathered around her, seeing Mother Jiang’s face ashen and expression weak.
Jiang Xiu Yun knelt on the ground with tears in her eyes, “Grandmother, Grandmother, are you alright? It’s… it’s your unfilial granddaughter’s fault!”
Mother Jiang shook her head through gritted teeth. Liu Su brought a cup of clear water and two pills, helping Mother Jiang take them. Mother Jiang let out a deep groan from her chest and closed her eyes, leaning against the pillow without speaking.
Jiang Fei Yun sat on the kang, using one hand to fan Mother Jiang gently while the other stroked her chest to help her breathe. Jiang Xiu Yun knelt by the bed holding Mother Jiang’s hand, crying. Having grown up with Mother Jiang since childhood, their grandmother-granddaughter relationship was particularly close. Suddenly seeing Liu Su come in and give her a meaningful look, Jiang Xiu Yun stood up, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and walked out asking, “What is it?”
Liu Su looked around, and seeing no one nearby, quickly pulled Jiang Xiu Yun into the small tea room, closing the windows and doors tightly. Jiang Xiu Yun asked curiously, “Sister Liu Su, what are you doing?”
Liu Su frowned worriedly and said, “Fifth Miss, I just heard something. I wanted to report it to the Old Madam, but seeing her condition… Yet not saying anything doesn’t feel right, as it seems to be a major matter. First Miss is married now and will soon return home with her husband. After much thought, I decided to discuss it with you first. You’ve always been wise and understanding.”
Jiang Xiu Yun said, “Don’t rush to flatter me, what’s the matter?”
Liu Su lowered her voice and said, “Fourth Miss and Qing Fen just returned from outside. Fourth Miss was tired and went to lie down. Qing Fen was standing guard by the bed looking distracted, so I went to ask her. She pulled me out and quietly said that things weren’t peaceful in Second Madam Lin’s quarters. The maids were fighting over becoming concubines, and a scandal broke out involving a package of infertility medicine. When Second Madam Xuan was scolding them, the medicine fell under the stone table, and Fourth Miss secretly picked it up. When Qing Fen asked Fourth Miss why she took it, Fourth Miss told her not to ask… Qing Fen is naturally timid and is already frightened out of her wits, worried that Fourth Miss might make a mistake in a moment of weakness, not only harming others and herself but also implicating her. But she doesn’t dare speak up, fearing that if this matter comes out, Fourth Miss will hate her later. Qing Fen and I are close, so she begged me to help think of a solution. I wanted to tell Old Madam, but seeing her condition…”
Jiang Xiu Yun froze, lost in thought, slowly nodding, “So that’s how it is…” She gradually sat down on the stool, still thinking. She stared at the stove absent-mindedly, and soon the water in the pot began to boil, bubbling away.
Jiang Xiu Yun came back to her senses, her eyes regaining their clarity. She said to Liu Su, “Sister Liu Su, you absolutely must not tell Grandmother about this. Grandmother’s health is already poor, adding another worry might cause trouble. I’ll keep an eye on this matter.” She nodded meaningfully and added, “Sister, don’t worry, I understand.”
Liu Su breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Jiang Dan Yun might use the medicine against her sister out of jealousy. Seeing that Jiang Xiu Yun understood, she smiled and said, “It’s good that Miss understands.”